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9/11Flight International Magazine 1927-03-03
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February 23, 2018
Subject: Aeronautical Ground Engineer - Air Engineer - Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Subject: Aeronautical Ground Engineer - Air Engineer - Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Roles and responsibilities of the Licensed Aeronautical Ground Engineers of the British Empire circa 1919 - 1960.
Aeronautical Ground Engineers or "Ground ... Engineers" were persons licensed by the Secretary of State for Air of the British Empire with the specific task of Aircraft Safety Inspection and certification to that effect.
Five (5) types of Ground Engineer Licenses were issued, identified using a Letter system of categories:
Ground Engineer category "A" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft before Flight and after Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "B" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "C" License: Inspection and Certification of Aero-Engines before Flight and after Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "D" License: Inspection and Certification of Engines during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "X" License: Inspection and Certification of Electrical and Wireless Equipment of Aircraft.
Notes:
1) Aeronautical Ground Engineers or simply "Ground Engineers" (1919 -1952)
were specially trained and educated in aeronautics at a BritishTechnical Institute (known as a University today) and once having completed their "Apprenticeship in the Trade" performing Inspection duties as a "candidate Engineer" under the supervision of a Licensed Ground Engineer, they were subsequently examined by the Air Ministry A.I.D - Technical department and if found acceptable, licensed by the British Government as being qualified to inspect and to certify the mechanical systems and the structural airworthiness of an aircraft of the period.
An excellent pre-requisite for becoming a "Licensed Ground Engineer" was to posess a British Trades Board certificate as a "competent journeyman mechanic" after having completed their apprenticeship in the trade and passed the required oral, practical and theoretical testing by a Board of Trade examiner. By the mid 1920's this testing and the issuance of the certificate of competency for Aircraft Trades persons was being undertaken by the Air Ministry.
2) Confusion of British Terminology and “Americanisation” in the U.S.A. The United States adopted the “British Method” post WW1. “Control” of American Aeronautics - until the Dept. of Commerce was tasked with the job - was under the US Military. The Military’s technical / engineering officers were placed "in charge” of oversight of “Airworthiness” of American military aircraft and did a lot of investigative work thru the NACA of British and European designs, engineering advances and materials technology . As the majority of the fliers at the time were former or current military pilots, their outlook as officers for being “Responsible” stemmed from the military doctrine that the "Officer is responsible” and that the people doing the work were simply enlisted junior ranks equivalent to “Tradesmen”. Until the Commerce Board’s Bureau of Aeronautics came into being there was no “regulation” of US civil Aeronautics and the “Wild West” mentality reigned supreme with numerous incidents and accidents resulting from the “Lawlessness” of the owners / operators. Civil Aviation in post-WW1 USA was a “free for all”.
The British Civil terminology “Aeronautical Ground Engineer” resulting from the British Act of Parliament of 1919 (as well as the later designations for Aeronautical Ground Engineers) was adopted in the USA and then shortened by dropping the word “Ground” from the title. In the British Empire, “Trades Persons” were qualified under the “British Trades Board” - a “Federal” department that was responsible for the qualification and training etc of Trades People. The “Aeronautical Ground Engineer” was not qualified under the “Trades Board”. What is largely misunderstood is that while they held a trades board qualification to perform “Work in the Trade”, the were required to have much higher education levels - comparable to a University graduate today - specific training in aeronautics law, mechanical engineering science and inspection methods - in order to be licensed as representatives of the British Imperial Government (Crown Servants) under the British Civil laws relating to the inspection of passenger vehicles for ensuring public safety - in effect they were special constables of the police force.
The mentality of the US (and other Nation’s) military mindset at the time (and still largely present today) chose to identify the “Ground Engineer” as a “Mechanic” instead of the actual role of Civil Aviation Safety Inspector for which this “Inspection Officer” had been created. The “Airworthiness Inspector” in US Aeronautics was later implemented as a “Commerce Board Representative” and today is known as an “I.A”.
The post-WW1 US Civil market purchased a large number of British and European designed and built aircraft at this time - and the companies had factories / assembly plants in the USA.
The current “A&P Mechanic” terminology derives from the initial use of the British letter classifications within the US Civil Aviation world post WW1, except that while the “A” was retained to represent “Airframes” the “C” was replaced with “E” for engines. The “E” was subsequently replaced with “P” for “Powerplant”.
Additional information on "Licensed Aircraft Engineers" of the British Empire - Aeronautical Ground Engineers.
Aeronautical Ground Engineers (1919 -1952) were specially trained and educated in aeronautics at a BritishTechnical Institute (known as Universities today) and once having completed their "Apprenticeship in the Trade" performing the duties of an Inspection Engineer under supervision of another Ground Engineer, they were subsequently examined and if found acceptable, licensed by the British Government as being qualified to inspect and to certify the mechanical systems and the structural airworthiness of an aircraft of the period.
An excellent pre-requisite for becoming a "Licensed Ground Engineer" was to posess a British Trades Board certificate as a "competent journeyman mechanic" after having completed their apprenticeship in the trade and passed the required oral, practical and theoretical testing by a Board of Trade examiner.
By the mid-late 1920's the testing and the issuance of the certificate of competency for Aircraft Trades persons was transferred to and being undertaken by the Air Ministry.
"Ground Engineers" were licensed by the Secretary of State for Air of the British Empire with the specific task of Aircraft Safety Inspection and certification to that effect.
Five (5) types of Ground Engineer Licenses were issued, identified using a Letter system of categories:
Ground Engineer category "A" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft before Flight / Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "B" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "C" License: Inspection and Certification of Aero-Engines before Flight / Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "D" License: Inspection and Certification of Engines during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "X" License: Inspection and Certification of Electrical and Wireless Equipment of Aircraft.
Many training course textbooks for Ground Engineers were published, some are still available today such as "A Complete Course for Ground Engineers' A,B,C,D & X Licences" by the New Era publishing Co, London UK, with a forward by Mr. H. Haselden Lewi of the UK Air Registration Board. This 760 page textbook - which can still be found in antique bookshops and ocassionally on AMAZON - contains sections on the following :
'A' License - 'The Rigging, Maintenance and Inspection of Aircraft' by W.J.C Speller, A.F.R.Ae.S, UK-A.I.D
'B' License - 'Inspection of Aircraft after Overhaul' by S.J. Norton, Assoc. M.inst.C.E & A.F.R.Ae.S
'C' License - 'Aero-Engines : Inspection of, Before Flight'
Part I - ' 'Aero-Engines : Inspection of, Before Flight' by R.F. Barlowe
Part II - 'The Law relating to Civil Aviation' by A. McIsaac
'D' License - 'Inspection of Aero-Engines after Overhaul'
'X' License - 'Electrical and Wireless Equipment of Aircraft' : Including the repair, overhaul and testing of Magnetos by S.G. Bybrow, A.M.I.E.E & A.M.I.M.E
'X' License - 'Instruments' : Repair, overhaul, testing and calibration of Aircraft and Aero-Engine instruments : Adjustment, Installation and Compensation of Compasses in Aircraft by R.W. Sloley, M.A - Cambridge, B.SC.- London university & Mr. C.E Dodge (sec. 8, App'x 'X' & Diagrams)
Additional Government and Air Ministry Official Publications (A.P.) references incorporated by reference in this textbook that were required to be posessed by all candidate "Ground Engineers" include:
the United Kingdom - British Air Navigation Act (as ammended)
the United Kingdom - British Air Navigation Order (as ammended)
the United Kingdom Interpretation Act, 1889 for the purpose of interpretation of "The Air Navigation Order" as "an Act of Parliament" of the United Kingdom.
A good companion reference to the Interpretation Act, 1889 is "A treatise on statute law : with appendices containing statutory and judicial definitions of certain words and expressions used in statutes, popular and short titles of statutes, and the Interpretation Act, 1889" (can be found on Archive.org)
The Air Navigation Directions (A.N.D)
The Metropolitan Traffic Manual : containing the law relating to road, river and air traffic in London and elsewhere. (can be found on Archive.org)
British Government Statutory Rules & Orders - as applicable.
British Air Ministry Pamphlet No. 34 - Instructions to Applicants for Ground Engineers Licenses & Syllabus of Examinations. (Can be found on Archive.org - search for "Duties of Licensed Ground Engineers")
the British Air Service Handbook
British Air Ministry Publication No.1208 (A.P. No. 1208 ) - Airworthiness Handbook for CIVIL Aviation Vol. 1 "Design section " & Vol. 2 "Inspection section"
British Air Ministry Publication No.1275 (A.P. No. 1275) - General Instrument Equipment for aircraft
British Air Ministry - Department of Technical Development (D.T.D.) specifications.
Re: Certificates of Safety:
Aeronautical Ground Engineers were authorised to issue "Certificates of Safety"
The "Statement" or "Certification" made for a Certificate of Safety for Flight (Extract from the Air Navigation Directions) made by a Ground Engineer holding an "A" License before the first flight of the day. (known as a Daily Certificate)
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I have this day inspected the above aircraft (including its instruments and equipment but exclusive of the engine(s) and engine installation and of the instruments relating thereto) and that I am satisfied that it is safe in every way for flight, provided that the conditions of loading specified in the certificate of airworthiness are complied with. The time this inspection was completed was at ________hours (24 hr clock). Signed by:__________________ Ground Engineer "A" License No. __________ Date: _______________ Time: ___________hrs (24 hr clock)
The Modern British based AME arose from the the British Aerial Navigation Act of 1919 (can be found on Archive.org) and the Regulations issued by its authority. These were "Internal" or "National" regulations and orders for aircraft and airworthiness which preceded the signing of the International Convention on Aerial Navigation which dealt specifically with cross-border flying of foreign aircraft among the signing members.
An excellent reference for British aviation and aeronautics history of the period from pre 1900 to 1921 is found in the 1922 edition of the "The Encyclopaedia Britannica" - which can be found on Archive.org.
The British Aerial Navigation Act of 1920:
1) asserted absolute sovereignty over all parts of His Majesty's Kingdom, including the dominions and adjacent waters.
2) provided for the application of the International Convention by Order in Council to internal flying.
3) provided for the regulation of civil flying and the supplementing of the Convention, as necessary, by general safety regulations.
Both the British Aerial Navigation regulations of 1919 and 1920 detailed the requirements for the Airworthiness of Aircraft registered within the whole of the British Empire.
In order that an aircraft may receive a certificate of airworthiness:
its design, including the design of its components, must be approved as satisfying the requirements of safety in regard to both strength and stability
it must be constructed of approved materials and by workmanship of approved quality and
its engine must be approved.
In order that such certificate of airworthiness may be valid on any particular occasion, the aircraft must:
be examined before flight and be periodically overhauled by a competent person duly licensed
be so loaded that its total weight does not exceed a given maximum, and its centre of gravity must be situated within certain given limits.
If the application for a certificate of airworthiness is in respect of a type aircraft, the inspection was carried out by representatives of the Aeronautical Inspection Directorate, and, in addition, drawings and particulars were required to be furnished to the Director of Research, as will enable him to approve the design.
In the case of subsequent aircraft constructed by a firm whose inspection is approved, sole responsibility lies with the Aeronautical Research Directorate, the constructor insuring that the conditions governing the inspection of type aircraft are applied to subsequent aircraft.
A certificate of airworthiness of an aircraft registered within the British Empire is not valid unless the aircraft concerned was regularly inspected by a licensed "aeronautical ground engineer”.
In the Air Navigation Directions, Section 11c, it is laid down that: “The constructor shall ensure by suitable inspection that all engines,
instruments, and parts (including wiring for electrical equipment
other than wireless apparatus) that are fitted into the aircraft are both
installed as to function correctly, and, if wireless telegraphy or wireless
telephony apparatus is fitted, that the installation of such apparatus,
including bonding and screening, is not such as to prejudice the
operation of the aircraft . . . the individuals responsible for such inspection
shall be indicated by signatures on the inspection record.
The “Aeronautical Ground Engineering” textbooks were one of the many educational references published in England for the training of Aeronautical Ground Engineers seeking a licence for their role and responsibility in the inspection and certification of Aircraft and Aircraft Engines as “airworthy”.
Aeronautical Ground Engineers of the British Empire
Candidates applying to become Aeronautical Ground Engineers or simply "Ground Engineers" (1919 -1952) were required to have been trained as mechanics (usually as Royal Air Force Apprentices) as a foundational pre-requisite to their entrance into the higher level of “Airworthiness Inspector - Certifier”.
With their “Apprentice” theoretical education foundation in Mechanical engineering maths and physics providing a solid foundation for further Engineering studies, they were also well skilled and were required to be “certified as competent” mechanics by the British Board of Trade prior passing out of the Air Force Apprentice program.
The pre-requisite for becoming a “Civil Licensed Ground Engineer" candidate was to possess a British Trades Board certificate as a "competent journeyman mechanic" after having completed the required course in theoretical education and the “practical apprenticeship in the trade” and successfully passing the Board of Trade oral, practical and theoretical exams for trades-persons.
By the mid 1920's this testing and the issuance of the certificate of competency for civilian Aircraft Trades’ persons was being undertaken by the Air Ministry.
Upon attaining sufficient time in the Industry working as competent mechanics, willing individuals were selected as “Candidate Engineers” to be specially trained and educated in higher level aeronautics engineering (2 years for A and C License, with an additional 2 years for B and D Licenses) at a British Technical Institute (known as a University today) or thru the distance education programs of those institutes and, once having completed their mandatory "Apprenticeship in the Trade" by way of performing Inspection duties as a "candidate Engineer" under the supervision of a Licensed Ground Engineer they were subsequently examined by the Air Ministry A.I.D - Technical department, and if found acceptable, licensed by the British Government as being qualified to inspect and to certify the mechanical systems and the structural airworthiness of an aircraft of the period.
"Ground Engineers" were licensed by the Secretary of State for Air of the British Empire with the specific task of Aircraft Safety Inspection and certification to that effect.
Five (5) types of Ground Engineer Licenses were issued, identified using a Letter system of categories:
Ground Engineer category "A" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft before Flight / Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "B" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "C" License: Inspection and Certification of Aero-Engines before Flight / Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "D" License: Inspection and Certification of Engines during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "X" License: Inspection and Certification of Electrical and Wireless Equipment of Aircraft.
Many training course textbooks for Ground Engineers were published, some are still available today such as "A Complete Course for Ground Engineers' A,B,C,D & X Licences" by the New Era publishing Co, London UK, with a forward by Mr. H. Haselden Lewis of the UK Air Registration Board. This 760 page textbook - which can still be found in antique bookshops and ocassionally on AMAZON - contains sections on the following :
'A' License - 'The Rigging, Maintenance and Inspection of Aircraft' by W.J.C Speller, A.F.R.Ae.S, UK-A.I.D
'B' License - 'Inspection of Aircraft after Overhaul' by S.J. Norton, Assoc. M.inst.C.E & A.F.R.Ae.S
'C' License - 'Aero-Engines : Inspection of, Before Flight'
Part I - ' 'Aero-Engines : Inspection of, Before Flight' by R.F. Barlowe
Part II - 'The Law relating to Civil Aviation' by A. McIsaac
'D' License - 'Inspection of Aero-Engines after Overhaul'
'X' License - 'Electrical and Wireless Equipment of Aircraft' : Including the repair, overhaul and testing of Magnetos by S.G. Bybrow, A.M.I.E.E & A.M.I.M.E
'X' License - 'Instruments' : Repair, overhaul, testing and calibration of Aircraft and Aero-Engine instruments : Adjustment, Installation and Compensation of Compasses in Aircraft by R.W. Sloley, M.A - Cambridge, B.SC.- London university & Mr. C.E Dodge (sec. 8, App'x 'X' & Diagrams)
Additional Government and Air Ministry Official Publications (A.P.) references incorporated by reference in this textbook that were required to be posessed by all candidate "Ground Engineers" include:
the United Kingdom - British Air Navigation Act (as ammended)
the United Kingdom - British Air Navigation Order (as ammended)
the United Kingdom Interpretation Act, 1889 for the purpose of interpretation of "The Air Navigation Order" as "an Act of Parliament" of the United Kingdom.
A good companion reference to the Interpretation Act, 1889 is "A treatise on statute law : with appendices containing statutory and judicial definitions of certain words and expressions used in statutes, popular and short titles of statutes, and the Interpretation Act, 1889" (can be found on Archive.org)
The Air Navigation Directions (A.N.D)
The Metropolitan Traffic Manual : containing the law relating to road, river and air traffic in London and elsewhere. (can be found on Archive.org)
British Government Statutory Rules & Orders - as applicable.
British Air Ministry Pamphlet No. 34 - Instructions to Applicants for Ground Engineers Licenses & Syllabus of Examinations. (Can be found on Archive.org - search for "Duties of Licensed Ground Engineers")
the British Air Service Handbook
British Air Ministry Publication No.1208 (A.P. No. 1208 ) - Airworthiness Handbook for CIVIL Aviation Vol. 1 "Design section " & Vol. 2 "Inspection section"
British Air Ministry Publication No.1275 (A.P. No. 1275) - General Instrument Equipment for aircraft
British Air Ministry - Department of Technical Development (D.T.D.) specifications.
Re: Certificates of Safety:
Aeronautical Ground Engineers were authorised to issue "Certificates of Safety"
The "Statement" or "Certification" made for a Certificate of Safety for Flight (Extract from the Air Navigation Directions) made by a Ground Engineer holding an "A" License before the first flight of the day. (known as a Daily Certificate)
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I have this day inspected the above aircraft (including its instruments and equipment but exclusive of the engine(s) and engine installation and of the instruments relating thereto) and that I am satisfied that it is safe in every way for flight, provided that the conditions of loading specified in the certificate of airworthiness are complied with. The time this inspection was completed was at ________hours (24 hr clock). Signed by:__________________ Ground Engineer "A" License No. __________ Date: _______________ Time: ___________hrs (24 hr clock)
The Modern British based AME arose from the the British Aerial Navigation Act of 1919 (can be found on Archive.org) and the Regulations issued by and under its authority.
These were "Internal" or "National" regulations and orders for aircraft and airworthiness which preceded the signing of the “International Convention on Aerial Navigation” (I.C.A.N) which dealt specifically with cross-border flying of foreign aircraft among the signing members.
An excellent reference for British aviation and aeronautics history of the period from pre 1900 to 1921 is found in the 1922 edition of the "The Encyclopaedia Britannica" - which can be found on Archive.org.
The British Aerial Navigation Act(s) of 1911 thru 1920:
1) asserted absolute sovereignty over all parts of His Majesty's Kingdom, including the Dominions and adjacent waters.
2) provided for the application of the International Convention by Order in Council to internal flying.
3) provided for the regulation of civil flying and the supplementing of the Convention, as necessary, by general safety regulations.
Both the British Aerial Navigation regulations of 1919 and 1920 detailed the requirements for the Airworthiness of Aircraft registered within the whole of the British Empire.
In order that an aircraft may receive a certificate of airworthiness:
1 - its design, including the design of its components, must be approved as satisfying the requirements of safety in regard to both strength and stability.
2 - it must be constructed of approved materials and by workmanship of approved quality, and
3 - its engine must be approved.
In order that such certificate of airworthiness may be valid on any particular occasion, the aircraft must:
1 - be examined before flight and be periodically overhauled by a competent person - duly licensed.
2 - be so loaded that its total weight does not exceed a given maximum, and its centre of gravity must be situated within certain given limits.
If the application for a certificate of airworthiness is in respect of a type aircraft, the inspection was carried out by representatives of the Aeronautical Inspection Directorate, and, in addition, drawings and particulars were required to be furnished to the Director of Research, as will enable him to approve the design.
In the case of subsequent aircraft constructed by a firm whose inspection is approved, sole responsibility lies with the Aeronautical Research Directorate, the constructor insuring that the conditions governing the inspection of type aircraft are applied to subsequent aircraft.
A certificate of airworthiness of an aircraft registered within the British Empire is not valid unless the aircraft concerned was regularly
"Candidates for the Ground Engineers' " X " Licence will find this a most helpful book by an author who is on the Air Ministry Staff.
Ref. also to the “Institute of Mechanical Engineers Journal”
Aeronautical Ground Engineers or "Ground ... Engineers" were persons licensed by the Secretary of State for Air of the British Empire with the specific task of Aircraft Safety Inspection and certification to that effect.
Five (5) types of Ground Engineer Licenses were issued, identified using a Letter system of categories:
Ground Engineer category "A" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft before Flight and after Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "B" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "C" License: Inspection and Certification of Aero-Engines before Flight and after Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "D" License: Inspection and Certification of Engines during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "X" License: Inspection and Certification of Electrical and Wireless Equipment of Aircraft.
Notes:
1) Aeronautical Ground Engineers or simply "Ground Engineers" (1919 -1952)
were specially trained and educated in aeronautics at a BritishTechnical Institute (known as a University today) and once having completed their "Apprenticeship in the Trade" performing Inspection duties as a "candidate Engineer" under the supervision of a Licensed Ground Engineer, they were subsequently examined by the Air Ministry A.I.D - Technical department and if found acceptable, licensed by the British Government as being qualified to inspect and to certify the mechanical systems and the structural airworthiness of an aircraft of the period.
An excellent pre-requisite for becoming a "Licensed Ground Engineer" was to posess a British Trades Board certificate as a "competent journeyman mechanic" after having completed their apprenticeship in the trade and passed the required oral, practical and theoretical testing by a Board of Trade examiner. By the mid 1920's this testing and the issuance of the certificate of competency for Aircraft Trades persons was being undertaken by the Air Ministry.
2) Confusion of British Terminology and “Americanisation” in the U.S.A. The United States adopted the “British Method” post WW1. “Control” of American Aeronautics - until the Dept. of Commerce was tasked with the job - was under the US Military. The Military’s technical / engineering officers were placed "in charge” of oversight of “Airworthiness” of American military aircraft and did a lot of investigative work thru the NACA of British and European designs, engineering advances and materials technology . As the majority of the fliers at the time were former or current military pilots, their outlook as officers for being “Responsible” stemmed from the military doctrine that the "Officer is responsible” and that the people doing the work were simply enlisted junior ranks equivalent to “Tradesmen”. Until the Commerce Board’s Bureau of Aeronautics came into being there was no “regulation” of US civil Aeronautics and the “Wild West” mentality reigned supreme with numerous incidents and accidents resulting from the “Lawlessness” of the owners / operators. Civil Aviation in post-WW1 USA was a “free for all”.
The British Civil terminology “Aeronautical Ground Engineer” resulting from the British Act of Parliament of 1919 (as well as the later designations for Aeronautical Ground Engineers) was adopted in the USA and then shortened by dropping the word “Ground” from the title. In the British Empire, “Trades Persons” were qualified under the “British Trades Board” - a “Federal” department that was responsible for the qualification and training etc of Trades People. The “Aeronautical Ground Engineer” was not qualified under the “Trades Board”. What is largely misunderstood is that while they held a trades board qualification to perform “Work in the Trade”, the were required to have much higher education levels - comparable to a University graduate today - specific training in aeronautics law, mechanical engineering science and inspection methods - in order to be licensed as representatives of the British Imperial Government (Crown Servants) under the British Civil laws relating to the inspection of passenger vehicles for ensuring public safety - in effect they were special constables of the police force.
The mentality of the US (and other Nation’s) military mindset at the time (and still largely present today) chose to identify the “Ground Engineer” as a “Mechanic” instead of the actual role of Civil Aviation Safety Inspector for which this “Inspection Officer” had been created. The “Airworthiness Inspector” in US Aeronautics was later implemented as a “Commerce Board Representative” and today is known as an “I.A”.
The post-WW1 US Civil market purchased a large number of British and European designed and built aircraft at this time - and the companies had factories / assembly plants in the USA.
The current “A&P Mechanic” terminology derives from the initial use of the British letter classifications within the US Civil Aviation world post WW1, except that while the “A” was retained to represent “Airframes” the “C” was replaced with “E” for engines. The “E” was subsequently replaced with “P” for “Powerplant”.
Additional information on "Licensed Aircraft Engineers" of the British Empire - Aeronautical Ground Engineers.
Aeronautical Ground Engineers (1919 -1952) were specially trained and educated in aeronautics at a BritishTechnical Institute (known as Universities today) and once having completed their "Apprenticeship in the Trade" performing the duties of an Inspection Engineer under supervision of another Ground Engineer, they were subsequently examined and if found acceptable, licensed by the British Government as being qualified to inspect and to certify the mechanical systems and the structural airworthiness of an aircraft of the period.
An excellent pre-requisite for becoming a "Licensed Ground Engineer" was to posess a British Trades Board certificate as a "competent journeyman mechanic" after having completed their apprenticeship in the trade and passed the required oral, practical and theoretical testing by a Board of Trade examiner.
By the mid-late 1920's the testing and the issuance of the certificate of competency for Aircraft Trades persons was transferred to and being undertaken by the Air Ministry.
"Ground Engineers" were licensed by the Secretary of State for Air of the British Empire with the specific task of Aircraft Safety Inspection and certification to that effect.
Five (5) types of Ground Engineer Licenses were issued, identified using a Letter system of categories:
Ground Engineer category "A" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft before Flight / Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "B" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "C" License: Inspection and Certification of Aero-Engines before Flight / Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "D" License: Inspection and Certification of Engines during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "X" License: Inspection and Certification of Electrical and Wireless Equipment of Aircraft.
Many training course textbooks for Ground Engineers were published, some are still available today such as "A Complete Course for Ground Engineers' A,B,C,D & X Licences" by the New Era publishing Co, London UK, with a forward by Mr. H. Haselden Lewi of the UK Air Registration Board. This 760 page textbook - which can still be found in antique bookshops and ocassionally on AMAZON - contains sections on the following :
'A' License - 'The Rigging, Maintenance and Inspection of Aircraft' by W.J.C Speller, A.F.R.Ae.S, UK-A.I.D
'B' License - 'Inspection of Aircraft after Overhaul' by S.J. Norton, Assoc. M.inst.C.E & A.F.R.Ae.S
'C' License - 'Aero-Engines : Inspection of, Before Flight'
Part I - ' 'Aero-Engines : Inspection of, Before Flight' by R.F. Barlowe
Part II - 'The Law relating to Civil Aviation' by A. McIsaac
'D' License - 'Inspection of Aero-Engines after Overhaul'
'X' License - 'Electrical and Wireless Equipment of Aircraft' : Including the repair, overhaul and testing of Magnetos by S.G. Bybrow, A.M.I.E.E & A.M.I.M.E
'X' License - 'Instruments' : Repair, overhaul, testing and calibration of Aircraft and Aero-Engine instruments : Adjustment, Installation and Compensation of Compasses in Aircraft by R.W. Sloley, M.A - Cambridge, B.SC.- London university & Mr. C.E Dodge (sec. 8, App'x 'X' & Diagrams)
Additional Government and Air Ministry Official Publications (A.P.) references incorporated by reference in this textbook that were required to be posessed by all candidate "Ground Engineers" include:
the United Kingdom - British Air Navigation Act (as ammended)
the United Kingdom - British Air Navigation Order (as ammended)
the United Kingdom Interpretation Act, 1889 for the purpose of interpretation of "The Air Navigation Order" as "an Act of Parliament" of the United Kingdom.
A good companion reference to the Interpretation Act, 1889 is "A treatise on statute law : with appendices containing statutory and judicial definitions of certain words and expressions used in statutes, popular and short titles of statutes, and the Interpretation Act, 1889" (can be found on Archive.org)
The Air Navigation Directions (A.N.D)
The Metropolitan Traffic Manual : containing the law relating to road, river and air traffic in London and elsewhere. (can be found on Archive.org)
British Government Statutory Rules & Orders - as applicable.
British Air Ministry Pamphlet No. 34 - Instructions to Applicants for Ground Engineers Licenses & Syllabus of Examinations. (Can be found on Archive.org - search for "Duties of Licensed Ground Engineers")
the British Air Service Handbook
British Air Ministry Publication No.1208 (A.P. No. 1208 ) - Airworthiness Handbook for CIVIL Aviation Vol. 1 "Design section " & Vol. 2 "Inspection section"
British Air Ministry Publication No.1275 (A.P. No. 1275) - General Instrument Equipment for aircraft
British Air Ministry - Department of Technical Development (D.T.D.) specifications.
Re: Certificates of Safety:
Aeronautical Ground Engineers were authorised to issue "Certificates of Safety"
The "Statement" or "Certification" made for a Certificate of Safety for Flight (Extract from the Air Navigation Directions) made by a Ground Engineer holding an "A" License before the first flight of the day. (known as a Daily Certificate)
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I have this day inspected the above aircraft (including its instruments and equipment but exclusive of the engine(s) and engine installation and of the instruments relating thereto) and that I am satisfied that it is safe in every way for flight, provided that the conditions of loading specified in the certificate of airworthiness are complied with. The time this inspection was completed was at ________hours (24 hr clock). Signed by:__________________ Ground Engineer "A" License No. __________ Date: _______________ Time: ___________hrs (24 hr clock)
The Modern British based AME arose from the the British Aerial Navigation Act of 1919 (can be found on Archive.org) and the Regulations issued by its authority. These were "Internal" or "National" regulations and orders for aircraft and airworthiness which preceded the signing of the International Convention on Aerial Navigation which dealt specifically with cross-border flying of foreign aircraft among the signing members.
An excellent reference for British aviation and aeronautics history of the period from pre 1900 to 1921 is found in the 1922 edition of the "The Encyclopaedia Britannica" - which can be found on Archive.org.
The British Aerial Navigation Act of 1920:
1) asserted absolute sovereignty over all parts of His Majesty's Kingdom, including the dominions and adjacent waters.
2) provided for the application of the International Convention by Order in Council to internal flying.
3) provided for the regulation of civil flying and the supplementing of the Convention, as necessary, by general safety regulations.
Both the British Aerial Navigation regulations of 1919 and 1920 detailed the requirements for the Airworthiness of Aircraft registered within the whole of the British Empire.
In order that an aircraft may receive a certificate of airworthiness:
its design, including the design of its components, must be approved as satisfying the requirements of safety in regard to both strength and stability
it must be constructed of approved materials and by workmanship of approved quality and
its engine must be approved.
In order that such certificate of airworthiness may be valid on any particular occasion, the aircraft must:
be examined before flight and be periodically overhauled by a competent person duly licensed
be so loaded that its total weight does not exceed a given maximum, and its centre of gravity must be situated within certain given limits.
If the application for a certificate of airworthiness is in respect of a type aircraft, the inspection was carried out by representatives of the Aeronautical Inspection Directorate, and, in addition, drawings and particulars were required to be furnished to the Director of Research, as will enable him to approve the design.
In the case of subsequent aircraft constructed by a firm whose inspection is approved, sole responsibility lies with the Aeronautical Research Directorate, the constructor insuring that the conditions governing the inspection of type aircraft are applied to subsequent aircraft.
A certificate of airworthiness of an aircraft registered within the British Empire is not valid unless the aircraft concerned was regularly inspected by a licensed "aeronautical ground engineer”.
In the Air Navigation Directions, Section 11c, it is laid down that: “The constructor shall ensure by suitable inspection that all engines,
instruments, and parts (including wiring for electrical equipment
other than wireless apparatus) that are fitted into the aircraft are both
installed as to function correctly, and, if wireless telegraphy or wireless
telephony apparatus is fitted, that the installation of such apparatus,
including bonding and screening, is not such as to prejudice the
operation of the aircraft . . . the individuals responsible for such inspection
shall be indicated by signatures on the inspection record.
The “Aeronautical Ground Engineering” textbooks were one of the many educational references published in England for the training of Aeronautical Ground Engineers seeking a licence for their role and responsibility in the inspection and certification of Aircraft and Aircraft Engines as “airworthy”.
Aeronautical Ground Engineers of the British Empire
Candidates applying to become Aeronautical Ground Engineers or simply "Ground Engineers" (1919 -1952) were required to have been trained as mechanics (usually as Royal Air Force Apprentices) as a foundational pre-requisite to their entrance into the higher level of “Airworthiness Inspector - Certifier”.
With their “Apprentice” theoretical education foundation in Mechanical engineering maths and physics providing a solid foundation for further Engineering studies, they were also well skilled and were required to be “certified as competent” mechanics by the British Board of Trade prior passing out of the Air Force Apprentice program.
The pre-requisite for becoming a “Civil Licensed Ground Engineer" candidate was to possess a British Trades Board certificate as a "competent journeyman mechanic" after having completed the required course in theoretical education and the “practical apprenticeship in the trade” and successfully passing the Board of Trade oral, practical and theoretical exams for trades-persons.
By the mid 1920's this testing and the issuance of the certificate of competency for civilian Aircraft Trades’ persons was being undertaken by the Air Ministry.
Upon attaining sufficient time in the Industry working as competent mechanics, willing individuals were selected as “Candidate Engineers” to be specially trained and educated in higher level aeronautics engineering (2 years for A and C License, with an additional 2 years for B and D Licenses) at a British Technical Institute (known as a University today) or thru the distance education programs of those institutes and, once having completed their mandatory "Apprenticeship in the Trade" by way of performing Inspection duties as a "candidate Engineer" under the supervision of a Licensed Ground Engineer they were subsequently examined by the Air Ministry A.I.D - Technical department, and if found acceptable, licensed by the British Government as being qualified to inspect and to certify the mechanical systems and the structural airworthiness of an aircraft of the period.
"Ground Engineers" were licensed by the Secretary of State for Air of the British Empire with the specific task of Aircraft Safety Inspection and certification to that effect.
Five (5) types of Ground Engineer Licenses were issued, identified using a Letter system of categories:
Ground Engineer category "A" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft before Flight / Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "B" License: Inspection and Certification of Aircraft during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "C" License: Inspection and Certification of Aero-Engines before Flight / Minor repairs / Minor modifications.
Ground Engineer category "D" License: Inspection and Certification of Engines during Manufacture and after Overhaul / Major repairs / Major modifications.
Ground Engineer category "X" License: Inspection and Certification of Electrical and Wireless Equipment of Aircraft.
Many training course textbooks for Ground Engineers were published, some are still available today such as "A Complete Course for Ground Engineers' A,B,C,D & X Licences" by the New Era publishing Co, London UK, with a forward by Mr. H. Haselden Lewis of the UK Air Registration Board. This 760 page textbook - which can still be found in antique bookshops and ocassionally on AMAZON - contains sections on the following :
'A' License - 'The Rigging, Maintenance and Inspection of Aircraft' by W.J.C Speller, A.F.R.Ae.S, UK-A.I.D
'B' License - 'Inspection of Aircraft after Overhaul' by S.J. Norton, Assoc. M.inst.C.E & A.F.R.Ae.S
'C' License - 'Aero-Engines : Inspection of, Before Flight'
Part I - ' 'Aero-Engines : Inspection of, Before Flight' by R.F. Barlowe
Part II - 'The Law relating to Civil Aviation' by A. McIsaac
'D' License - 'Inspection of Aero-Engines after Overhaul'
'X' License - 'Electrical and Wireless Equipment of Aircraft' : Including the repair, overhaul and testing of Magnetos by S.G. Bybrow, A.M.I.E.E & A.M.I.M.E
'X' License - 'Instruments' : Repair, overhaul, testing and calibration of Aircraft and Aero-Engine instruments : Adjustment, Installation and Compensation of Compasses in Aircraft by R.W. Sloley, M.A - Cambridge, B.SC.- London university & Mr. C.E Dodge (sec. 8, App'x 'X' & Diagrams)
Additional Government and Air Ministry Official Publications (A.P.) references incorporated by reference in this textbook that were required to be posessed by all candidate "Ground Engineers" include:
the United Kingdom - British Air Navigation Act (as ammended)
the United Kingdom - British Air Navigation Order (as ammended)
the United Kingdom Interpretation Act, 1889 for the purpose of interpretation of "The Air Navigation Order" as "an Act of Parliament" of the United Kingdom.
A good companion reference to the Interpretation Act, 1889 is "A treatise on statute law : with appendices containing statutory and judicial definitions of certain words and expressions used in statutes, popular and short titles of statutes, and the Interpretation Act, 1889" (can be found on Archive.org)
The Air Navigation Directions (A.N.D)
The Metropolitan Traffic Manual : containing the law relating to road, river and air traffic in London and elsewhere. (can be found on Archive.org)
British Government Statutory Rules & Orders - as applicable.
British Air Ministry Pamphlet No. 34 - Instructions to Applicants for Ground Engineers Licenses & Syllabus of Examinations. (Can be found on Archive.org - search for "Duties of Licensed Ground Engineers")
the British Air Service Handbook
British Air Ministry Publication No.1208 (A.P. No. 1208 ) - Airworthiness Handbook for CIVIL Aviation Vol. 1 "Design section " & Vol. 2 "Inspection section"
British Air Ministry Publication No.1275 (A.P. No. 1275) - General Instrument Equipment for aircraft
British Air Ministry - Department of Technical Development (D.T.D.) specifications.
Re: Certificates of Safety:
Aeronautical Ground Engineers were authorised to issue "Certificates of Safety"
The "Statement" or "Certification" made for a Certificate of Safety for Flight (Extract from the Air Navigation Directions) made by a Ground Engineer holding an "A" License before the first flight of the day. (known as a Daily Certificate)
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I have this day inspected the above aircraft (including its instruments and equipment but exclusive of the engine(s) and engine installation and of the instruments relating thereto) and that I am satisfied that it is safe in every way for flight, provided that the conditions of loading specified in the certificate of airworthiness are complied with. The time this inspection was completed was at ________hours (24 hr clock). Signed by:__________________ Ground Engineer "A" License No. __________ Date: _______________ Time: ___________hrs (24 hr clock)
The Modern British based AME arose from the the British Aerial Navigation Act of 1919 (can be found on Archive.org) and the Regulations issued by and under its authority.
These were "Internal" or "National" regulations and orders for aircraft and airworthiness which preceded the signing of the “International Convention on Aerial Navigation” (I.C.A.N) which dealt specifically with cross-border flying of foreign aircraft among the signing members.
An excellent reference for British aviation and aeronautics history of the period from pre 1900 to 1921 is found in the 1922 edition of the "The Encyclopaedia Britannica" - which can be found on Archive.org.
The British Aerial Navigation Act(s) of 1911 thru 1920:
1) asserted absolute sovereignty over all parts of His Majesty's Kingdom, including the Dominions and adjacent waters.
2) provided for the application of the International Convention by Order in Council to internal flying.
3) provided for the regulation of civil flying and the supplementing of the Convention, as necessary, by general safety regulations.
Both the British Aerial Navigation regulations of 1919 and 1920 detailed the requirements for the Airworthiness of Aircraft registered within the whole of the British Empire.
In order that an aircraft may receive a certificate of airworthiness:
1 - its design, including the design of its components, must be approved as satisfying the requirements of safety in regard to both strength and stability.
2 - it must be constructed of approved materials and by workmanship of approved quality, and
3 - its engine must be approved.
In order that such certificate of airworthiness may be valid on any particular occasion, the aircraft must:
1 - be examined before flight and be periodically overhauled by a competent person - duly licensed.
2 - be so loaded that its total weight does not exceed a given maximum, and its centre of gravity must be situated within certain given limits.
If the application for a certificate of airworthiness is in respect of a type aircraft, the inspection was carried out by representatives of the Aeronautical Inspection Directorate, and, in addition, drawings and particulars were required to be furnished to the Director of Research, as will enable him to approve the design.
In the case of subsequent aircraft constructed by a firm whose inspection is approved, sole responsibility lies with the Aeronautical Research Directorate, the constructor insuring that the conditions governing the inspection of type aircraft are applied to subsequent aircraft.
A certificate of airworthiness of an aircraft registered within the British Empire is not valid unless the aircraft concerned was regularly
"Candidates for the Ground Engineers' " X " Licence will find this a most helpful book by an author who is on the Air Ministry Staff.
Ref. also to the “Institute of Mechanical Engineers Journal”
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